The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla has initiated an investigation into the alleged disappearance of the body of 78-year-old Joseph Ighorhiohwunu from the mortuary of the Nigerian Navy Hospital in Effurun, Delta State.
This investigation follows a petition from the deceased’s family, led by human rights activist Comrade Ighorhiohwunu Aghogho, which was submitted to the Chief of Naval Staff on February 27, 2025, requesting an urgent probe into the incident.
Reports indicate that the petition was formally acknowledged by the Chief of Naval Staff’s office on the same day, February 27, 2025.
The petition, which was reviewed by our correspondent, partly states: “We write to bring to your attention a disturbing incident involving the disappearance of a corpse from the Nigerian Navy Hospital mortuary in Effurun, Delta State.”
It is important to note that the Nigerian Navy Hospital, Effurun, had earlier responded to the allegations in a letter dated February 18, 2025, referenced A; HCI/FR/32/2024. The Navy’s response, signed by Surgeon Lieutenant L. Ogo on behalf of the Commander, and addressed to the Delta State High Court, read: “I am directed to respond to your service of a court document listing this hospital as the 10th respondent identified by Suit number at Reference A.”
The Navy Hospital further clarified that “the said service was received on February 17, 2025. After reviewing our records, I am respectfully informing you that there is no deceased person registered under the referenced suit in our facility.”
